Forgiveness, Session 5: See How They Love One Another

 

Forgiveness, Session 5: See How They Love One Another

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

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1. Review

   1. Session 1: Forgiveness is God’s Purpose – Luke 4: 14-30

      1. Recognize the complexity of forgiveness and aspects of its definition

      2. Define God’s forgiveness and identify some aspects of it in the Bible

      3. Better understand the role of Jesus Christ in God’s purpose

      4. Realize the universal scope of God’s forgiveness: it is initiated by God through Jesus as a gift to all mankind and is necessary to restore fellowship with Him.

   2. Session 2: Why Should We Forgive? - Colossians 1:13-14; 2:6-14; and 3:12-13

      1. Clarify/prioritize three Christian motivations to forgive others: for Christ’s sake (Luke 1:76-77), for others’ sake (John 20:23), and our own sake (Matt 5:14-15)

      2. Better understand our obligation to forgive others – 2 Corinthians 2:9-11

      3. Realize that true, Christ-like forgiveness is not possible. We are invited to participate in God’s forgiving activities – Matthew 26:40 (Flesh is weak), Romans 7:18-25

   3. Session 3: The Politics of Salvation – Luke 19:1-10

      1. To appreciate the socioeconomics of repentance (Luke 18:9-14, 3:11-14, 19:8)

      2. To understand the relationship between repentance and God’s forgiveness (Acts 2:38-39, 1 John 1:9, Matthew 6:14-15, James 5:15-16)

   4. Session 4: Becoming Forgiving People – John 8:2-12 and 1 John 1:5-2:6 8:12 – Will be added when I either find or reproduce my notes -

      1. Understand the five sensitivities of forgiving people and the perception of others

         1. Sensitive to repentant heart

         2. Eager to understand mitigating circumstances

         3. Desire restoration with the offender

         4. Reconcile for the sake of others (see Colossians 3:12-17)

         5. Realize our own fallen state and need to forgive for our own sake

      2. Identify and explore ways to acquire and apply the five sensitivities

         1. Prayer and in-depth study of His Word

         2. Support each other and share burdens

         3. Offer or establish a ministry of reconciliation

         4. Seek examples to emulate and strive to be such an example

2. Session 5: See How They Love One Another – 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

   1. Session Objectives:

      1. Identify how worship – singing, teaching, the Lord’s Table, baptism, small group meetings (Sunday School, other studies) and doxology shape the five sensitivities of a forgiving person (See with the new vision provided by Christ’s Salvation)

      2. Recognize the centrality of reconciliation to the church’s ministry and outreach

   2. Our “ministry of reconciliation” begins in our hearts (2 Corinthians 5:14-21) and we are reminded of our needs by our Christian fellowship during meetings (therefore, we need to attend all that we can) and the various elements of those meetings

      1. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you…” Colossians 3:16

         1. “Teach and admonish each other with all wisdom… “ (when, where, how?)

         2. “sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs…” with what in your heart?

         3. What are we to do in the name of “Jesus Christ”?

      2. What activities help us remember our own salvation and link us to one another?

         1. Lord’s Table – share the one Body and Blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)

         2. Baptism – Christ’s sacrifice, death and resurrection (our new life and new way of seeing ourselves, others and God’s will) Colossians 3:9-14, Galatians 3:27-28)

         3. Meeting together often – Romans 12:5

         4. Proclamation of the Word (reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and new commandments)

         5. Recitation of favorite passages (reinforcement of key theological concepts)

         6. Common sharing (with those whom we have sinned against and who have sinned against us) – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

         7. Recognition of our need for forgiveness and reconciliation (Past 4 Sessions!)

      3. Why do we need constant reminders of our salvation and need for reconciliation?

         1. We still have rebellious hearts and need to seek to do good (Romans 7:7-25)

         2. Part of our witness is the observable love we have for… (Colossians 3:12-14)

1. God and Christ

2. Our families

3. Our fellow believers

4. Our church family

1. Bitterness, anger, resentment, pride and greed can prevent us from recognizing God’s will in our lives and keeps us from full fellowship with our Creator.

1. What is the relationship between reconciliation via true forgiveness and Church ministry/outreach?

   1. Although interrelated, preaching, ministering and outreach (reaching out) are different. Each is a key facet of a loving, caring, forgiving congregation (body of Christ)

      1. Outreach – witness to community of God’s grace, forgiveness and reconciliation

      2. Preaching – proclaiming God’s word as a reminder to those saved and as an invitation to those who are unsaved

      3. Ministry – caring for each other and reminding each other of God’s love, forgiveness and reconciliation through the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

   2. To be the kind of loving family described by Paul, we must:

      1. Daily take steps to remind us of God’s love, grace, forgiveness and Christ’s sacrifice

      2. Take every opportunity to meet together as a family: Sunday service, Sunday evening meetings, Wednesday supper, Wednesday Bible Study, small groups (Sunday School) and home Bible groups.

2. Study Questions

   1. What does Matthew 26:20-30 tell us about what we should be focused on and remembering during the celebration/ordinance of the Lord’s Table?

   2. Which elements of Ash Avenue Baptist Church’s service will shape members into a forgiving community? Are there elements that should be added? Whom should you tell?

   3. Thinking back on some of the key scriptures of this session, how important to our moral formation is worshipping with others? Would a Christrian develop the traits described by Paul as easily without a church community?

   4. How do those outside of our church fellowship perceive your love for our God, Jesus Christ, fellow Christians and all other people? How is your love for other people, and desire for the salvation of all others, demonstrated?

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